Sandvik has strengthened its relationship with Glencore by deploying Newtrax collision avoidance technology at underground mining sites. This commitment to safety is coupled with advances in the digital transformation of operations across Glencore worldwide.
The agreement covers the deployment of Newtrax’s OEM-agnostic Collision Avoidance System (CAS). The CAS integrates with the Newtrax Mining Data Platform (MDP) to enhance productivity and safety. The initial installation will be at Kamoto Copper Company, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with Glencore’s Raglan nickel operation in Quebec.
Sandvik Mining Field
How does Newtrax’s collision avoidance system work?
The Newtrax CAS provides three stages of safety: awareness, advisory, and intervention. A vehicle operator is’d-informed of the presence of any other equipment, vehicles, or persons close by.
The system utilizes peer-to-peer communications, location determination in real-time, and intelligent decision-making to avoid collisions. This being said, OEM-agnostic technology is what sets it apart.
In other words, it can be fitted into any underground fleet, irrespective of the brand. For Glencore, operating a variety of fleets, this is quite useful.
More importantly, this integrates with MDP to provide real-time safety analytics and improve incident response. The platform offers dashboards and analytics that support data-driven safety improvements.
What motivated this major deployment?
The emphasis on safety has, therefore, become more and more important to world operators in mining. Glencore, for its part, like to maintain its workplaces free of fatal and serious injuries. The joint company statement said that together with Sandvik and Newtrax, the client wants to have revolutionary underground safety standards.
Mark Davis, Head of Copper Africa, Glencore stated: “The investment emphasises the need to have technology through which we protect our workers.”
David Hallett, VP of Automation at Sandvik, also said: “Glencore’s decision provides a vote of confidence in our solutions and our shared safety values.”
This program follows a number of digital implementations carried out at Glencore’s other sites, including Wabtec’s CAS at a coal site in New South Wales. It shows a consistent pursuit of the digitizing of safety processes through proven technologies.
Mark Davis– CEO, Glencore
Can this tech transform underground mining safety?
Indeed. Underground mining is inherently risky, especially in tight, congested settings. Proximity incidents remain among the primary causes of injury in such environments. Collision avoidance systems such as those by Newtrax thwart such injuries.
Operators are warned long before potential incidents occur, and thus have the time to respond accordingly. The tiered system allows the technology to evolve from simple awareness to automated precautionary measures.
With a scalable integration of real-time analytics, the CAS adapts to changing site conditions. That makes the system suitable for use at smaller and larger mines.
Additionally, it supports future upgrades, including AI and machine-learning enhancements for predictive safety alerts. It is, thus, one of the most flexible platforms available today.
How will this impact Sandvik, Glencore, and Newtrax investors?
Finders of this investment hope to achieve profits. At the very least, increased demand for safety and digital solutions may benefit Sandvik.
As safety automation becomes subjected to regional regulations in many jurisdictions, the tech leadership position can provide recurring revenues. Selling services, maintenance contracts, and software subscriptions relating to the Newtrax platform can further somewhat strengthen long-term margins.
For Glencore, the deal enhances its ESG credentials with an unmistakable safety upgrade. Perhaps better safety benchmarks will minimize insurance liabilities and lost-time incidents. Those are critical in supporting operational continuities, especially within deep and remote mining situations. Hence, Newtrax, included now within the Sandvik digital suite, gains worldwide product validation.
Deployment across two massive and diverse mines may, therefore, open doors to another great black client. For investors, there could hardly be a clearer signal: safety technology is entering the forefront of mining investment considerations. Firms that offer digital safety tech shall surely prosper at the sector level in the foreseeable trends.
David Hallet – Vice President at Sandvik Mining
Will this spark a broader mining technology trend?
Ensuring safety through digitalisation differentiates Glencore from the rest of the automation trends in mining. Other miners are looking into collision avoidance and proximity solutions in order to meet new regulatory standards. For example, Rio Tinto and BHP are trialling AI-based safety systems within their Australian iron ore operations.
OEMs such as Wabtec and Hexagon are also expected to soon roll out superior CAS platforms throughout the globe. Within this framework, Sandvik, by virtue of Newtrax being OEM-agnostic, enjoys a promising position. With OEM-agnostic integration into present-day mixed fleets, it goes a long way in giving itself some favorable positions.
Similar technologies will very likely become standard offerings for future mining projects, especially in places like Africa and South America. As it now goes from being just an obligation to becoming a front-running differentiator, digital safety will certainly lead capital spend.
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Conclusion
Sandvik’s collaboration with Glencore through Newtrax stands as a landmark in underground mining safety.
Together they have taken the large step of offering scalable technology combined with real-time data and OEM-independent flexibility, thus setting a new paradigm in the industry.
Investors have also been given something to watch as digital safety reforms themselves from an optional to an imperative GEI in mining operations worldwide.
